EP1319220A1

EP1319220A1 - Security system, particularly for valuable documents

Info

Publication number: EP1319220A1
Application number: EP01960674A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Irina Menz; Günther Dausmann; Benedikt Ahlers; Arnim Franz-Burgholz
Original assignee: Giesecke and Devrient GmbH
Current assignee: Giesecke and Devrient GmbH
Priority date: 2000-08-21
Filing date: 2001-08-17
Publication date: 2003-06-18
Anticipated expiration: 2021-08-17
Also published as: US7724408B2; US20100195176A1; DE10040785A1; AU2001282102A1; EP1319220B1; ATE367627T1; CZ2003558A3; WO2002017242A1; DE50112744D1; EP1319220B2; US8077364B2; US20080062485A1; US20030169468A1; US7315407B2; RU2282244C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a security system especially for security documents, wherein a security element is provided in a carrier plane, that under incident light holographically reconstructs a pattern outside the carrier plane, in which concealed information is stored and having a flat transparent verification element which on flat contact with the security element makes the information stored therein visible. The invention further relates to a security element and a verification element for use in the security system and a security document fitted with the security system. The invention additionally relates to an apparatus and a method for reading out the concealed information which is stored holographically in the pattern reconstructed on the security element under incident light.

Description

Security system, in particular for documents of value

The invention relates to a security system, in particular for verifying the authenticity of documents of value, which consists of a security element and a verification element which make information hidden by surface contact visible, and corresponding security elements, verification elements and documents of value. The invention further relates to methods and devices for reading out the hidden information.

Documents, certificates, banknotes, ID cards, plastic cards etc. can be reproduced true to detail and true to color with the help of modern high-resolution color scanners and with the help of color laser printers or thermal sublimation printers. The general availability of color copiers has also made it considerably easier to produce high-quality counterfeits.

There is therefore a need to make documents, ID cards, banknotes, securities, plastic cards etc. tamper-proof by means of additional security features. Such security features can at least make the production of a high-quality counterfeit strong becomes more expensive. Such security features include watermarks, silk threads, intertwined line structures and the use of special paper. The application of metallized embossed holograms to banknotes, credit cards and Euro check cards has also become generally accepted.

A self-verifying document of value is known from WO 98/15418, which carries information that is usually not recognizable at one point when viewed normally. Elsewhere in the document, a verification element is applied, which can be made to coincide with the security element carrying the hidden information by folding the value document, so that the hidden information is visible. It is described, for. B. that a text written in micro-writing in the security element is enlarged with the aid of an optical lens as a verification element if the verification element is brought into line with the security element by folding the document of value. It is also possible that the security element and the verification element are designed in such a way that they generate a so-called moire pattern when the verification element overlaps with the security element. By appropriately designing the patterns contained in the verification element or security element, information in the moiré pattern can be made visible in this way. Finally, both the security element and the verification element can comprise a polarization element. If the polarization plane is oriented differently in certain areas, information can be made visible in this way.

However, with the copying and counterfeiting techniques which are currently always improving, there is a risk that such flat elements will not offer adequate security against forgery. So z. For example, it can be expected that text applied in micro script can be reproduced with a copier of sufficient resolution. Likewise, the patterns for producing a moiré pattern can also be reproduced if necessary. It is therefore desirable that the security or verification elements have an even higher level of counterfeit security, so that on the one hand documents of value can be made even more counterfeit-proof and authenticity verification more reliable.

This task with a security system with the features of claim 1, a security element with the features of claim 15, a verification element with the features of claim 16, a document of value with the features of one of claims 18 to 20, a readout method with the features of claim 22 or a readout device with the features of claim 24 achieved.

A security system according to the invention comprises a flat security element which is arranged in a carrier plane. The security element comprises a hologram carrier which, under the incidence of light, holographically reconstructs a pattern which lies outside the carrier plane. Hidden information is stored in this pattern. Furthermore, the security system according to the invention comprises an at least partially transparent verification element which, when the security element is touched over a wide area under the incidence of light, makes it possible to read out the information hidden in the pattern holographically generated by the security element.

On or in the object to be secured, e.g. B. a document of value or bank note there is a security element in one place. This security element is a hologram carrier. The hologram contained therein generates an image or pattern which is offset with respect to the document to be secured and which can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. Hidden information is stored in the pattern. This hidden information, which is now at a distance from the document, can be read out with a verification element. The hidden information is therefore not applied directly to the value document as in the case of known security features, but is only generated in a holographic manner at a distance from the value document. The hologram of the security element makes counterfeiting significantly more difficult. In contrast to holograms previously used as a security element, the information stored in the holographically generated pattern can only be made visible by the verification element.

In this way, a much better protection against counterfeiting is achieved. In addition, the information cannot be recognized without a verification element and therefore cannot be copied.

In an advantageous embodiment of the security system, the security element comprises a hologram that generates a phase-modulated pattern when illuminated. The hidden information can be stored in such a way that the phase of the light in the area of the hidden information is different from the phase of the surrounding areas of the pattern. The verification element is then designed in such a way that it converts this phase modulation into a visible amplitude modulation. This is e.g. B. possible in a known manner by the phase contrast method or the Schlieren method.

In an even more advantageous embodiment, the verification element also comprises a hologram which reconstructs a corresponding pattern under the incidence of light, which generates the optical light patterns necessary for converting the phase modulation into an amplitude modulation.

Another advantageous embodiment of the security system according to the invention comprises a security element, which is a hologram, which in turn reconstructs a line pattern outside the carrier plane under the incidence of light. The verification element is also a hologram that generates a line pattern in the same plane outside the carrier plane. The line patterns are designed in such a way that a moire pattern results as if two were actually existing line patterns would be made to coincide with the holographically reconstructed line patterns. By appropriately designing the holograms and the line patterns generated thereby, information can be stored in the moiré pattern which is only visible when they are overlapped.

In another advantageous embodiment of the security system according to the invention, the security element in turn generates a pattern in the light incident on the holographic path outside the carrier plane. This pattern is amplitude modulated in such a way that it cannot be seen with the naked eye. The verification element comprises a lens structure which makes the amplitude modulation visible to the eye when the verification element lies on top of the security element. For example, the lens structure can be a stripe lens structure.

In the configuration, the necessary distance between the object to be imaged by the lens structure, in this case the holographically reconstructed pattern of the security element, is generated by the lens structure in that the holographically generated pattern lies outside the lens plane or the contact surface between the verification element and the security element. In this way, a corresponding lens structure can be used for verification without it having the thickness necessary to produce this distance. In the case of documents of value such as banknotes, in particular, the thickness should be kept as small as possible. In this respect, this embodiment according to the invention offers the possibility of utilizing the advantages of counterfeit protection with the aid of lens structures even on thin documents of value.

In another embodiment of the invention, both the security element and the verification element generate a pattern outside the contact area of the verification element and security element in the light holographically. Both patterns created in this way each carry a different part of hidden information. Only when the verification element is brought into line with the security element will the light enter the two parts of the hidden information reconstructed with the patterns and recognizable in their entirety.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises a security element, which in turn holographically reconstructs a pattern outside the carrier plane which is polarization-modulated. The hidden information is generated in such a way that the polarization is different in the area of the information than in the surrounding area. In this embodiment, the verification element is a polarization filter, with which the different polarizations can be made visible in a known manner. In this way, the hidden information becomes recognizable. Likewise, the security element can also generate a light pattern of constant polarization and the hidden information can be stored in a polarization-modulated verification element.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the security element is in turn configured such that it reconstructs an amplitude-modulated pattern outside the carrier plane under the incidence of light. This amplitude modulation carries the hidden information. The verification element comprises a raster structure on a window element. By appropriately adapting the shape of the raster structure and the holographically generated amplitude modulation, a tilting effect can be achieved due to the holographically generated distance between the raster structure and the amplitude modulation. Depending on the direction of view of the grid of the verification element, z. B. seen under the lines of the grid structure and the information available there visible. On the other hand, when looking vertically at the verification grid structure, the information that is visible between the grid lines of the verification element becomes visible. In this way, information can be made visible depending on the tilt angle of the elements lying one on top of the other.

In order to achieve even greater security against counterfeiting, the security element can be designed in such a way that it generates a holographically generated pattern under the incidence of light, but which does not have a constant distance from the carrier level. The verification element must take this into account by adapting the spatial frequencies accordingly. With such a configuration, no information is visible in the level of the value document. The holographic reproduction is the only way to create the pattern in which the hidden information is stored. This pattern does not represent a level, but has an alternating distance from the level of the security element. This changing distance can only be compensated with the help of the verification element. In addition, the information is additionally hidden in that it is in the holographically generated, non-planar pattern z. B. is only stored as phase modulation, polarization modulation or line pattern for generating a moiré pattern. In this case, the verification element has different tasks. First, it compensates for the different distance of the holographically generated pattern from the carrier plane. On the other hand, it makes the information hidden in the holographically generated pattern visible.

The holographically generated pattern, which is created by the incidence of light on the security element, can have different distances from the carrier plane. However, the order of magnitude of a few 100 μm is particularly advantageous, advantageously 100 to 300 μm. A 3D hologram can be generated in this way. Despite the difficulties involved in applying or inserting a hologram onto the rough surface, e.g. B. result of a banknote, can with a 3D hologram that generates a pattern at such a small distance from the carrier plane, keep the blurring within tolerable limits.

The information that is stored in the holographically generated pattern, which is created by the incidence of light on the security element, can be read out with an external verification element. However, it is particularly advantageous if both the verification element and the security element are applied to one and the same value document. By folding the document of value accordingly, the elements can then be brought to cover in order to make the hidden information visible. That way is a self-verifying system possible. With an appropriate arrangement of the elements on the banknotes, the same effect can also be achieved by stacking two banknotes in the appropriate orientation.

Depending on the design, the pattern reconstructed by the incidence of light on the security element can be virtual or also real, that is to say can be reproduced on a screen.

A security element according to the invention for use in a security system according to the invention comprises a hologram structure which holographically reconstructs a pattern with hidden information outside the carrier plane when light falls. A verification element according to the invention for use with a security system according to the invention serves to visualize the hidden information which is reconstructed by a security element according to the invention outside the carrier level of the security element when light is incident.

The verification element is at least partially transparent. In addition to the structures that serve to visualize the hidden information, the verification element can carry another security feature. It can e.g. B. another hologram structure can be applied, which generates a different image that is superimposed on the hidden information such as a background.

A document of value according to the invention comprises a security element according to the invention and / or a verification element according to the invention.

In a method according to the invention for reading out the information which is hidden in the pattern holographically reconstructed under the incidence of light on the security element, a verification element according to the invention is made to coincide with the security element. Is the security element and the verification element on one item, e.g. B. a bill, it is advantageous if the verification element with the security element through Convolution of the document is brought to cover. In this way, verification is possible without the need for additional aids.

The security system according to the invention can be designed in such a way that, when the verification element and the security element are appropriately covered, it makes the hidden information visible to the naked eye when the light falls on it. However, a device according to the invention can also be provided which enables verification by machine. Such a device comprises a device which covers the security element with a verification element. The verification element can be part of the device or can be applied to the object to be verified itself and can be made to coincide with the security element by mechanical folding. A lighting device is provided which illuminates the security element and verification elements which are brought into congruence. In this way, the hidden information becomes visible and can be read out with the aid of a reading device. This can e.g. B. be a corresponding brightness detector that can detect differences in brightness in the hidden information. Finally, the read-out device can comprise a camera that enables image processing and evaluation of the image of the hidden information.

Embodiments of the invention according to the invention are explained with reference to the attached figures. It shows

1 schematically shows a document of value according to the invention with a security system according to the invention,

2 schematically shows the reading process according to a method according to the invention,

3 schematically shows a machine reading process according to the invention, Fig. 4 shows schematically a side sectional view of an embodiment of an inventive

Value document during the reading process,

5 schematically shows another embodiment of the value document according to the invention during the reading process in a lateral section,

6 schematically shows a further embodiment of a value document according to the invention during the reading process in a lateral section,

7 schematically shows a further embodiment of a document of value according to the invention during the reading process in a lateral section, and

8 schematically shows a further embodiment of a value document according to the invention during the reading process in a lateral section.

1 shows a value document 1, for example a bank note, with a verification element 3 and a security element 5. In the example shown, the verification element is indicated by hatching. The security element 5 comprises a hologram carrier. According to one embodiment, this hologram carrier generates a pattern outside the plane of document 1, e.g. B. the banknote. The pattern holographically produced in this way advantageously has a distance 7 of 100 to 300 μm from the surface of the bill 1. The reference numbers 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 are generally used in the following for various embodiments. In one embodiment, in which the verification element 3 carries a line grid, the security element 5 generates a holographic pattern when light is incident, which is also modulated in the form of a strip. If a verification element 3 is covered with the security element 5, the line grid of the verification element is at a distance from the holographically generated pattern. In this way, by tilting z. B. the area below the line grid can be made visible, or the area between the line grid of the verification element 3 can be viewed vertically.

7 such an embodiment is schematically visible in the side sectional view. A folded bill 1 is shown, in which the verification element 403 and the security element 5, 405 have been brought into coincidence. This is the position during the reading process. In this description, the term “readout” is generally used for verification, be it with the naked eye or by machine. When the light falls on it, a holographically generated pattern 400 is reconstructed from the hologram of the security element 5, 405 at a distance 7 from the contact plane 9. The verification element is transparent and provided with, for example, a printed stripe pattern, the distance 7 means that the area of the holographically generated pattern 400, which is visible through the stripe pattern of the verification element 3, 403, depends on the direction of view of the security element 5, 405 the area below the stripe pattern 3, 403, for example, or the area between the stripe of the verification element 3, 403 can be visible in the direction of the gaze.

As in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 8, short vertical lines on bank note 1 indicate the area in which the verification element and the security element are located. Of course, these are not objective features. In addition, Figures 4 to 8 are not to scale. In particular, the distance 7, for example, is much smaller. verification element and security element lie directly on top of one another and are preferably each no thicker than the bill 1.

The security element 5, which is visible in FIG. 1, can also be a hologram carrier, which generates a phase-modulated pattern outside the plane of the bill 1 when the light falls. In this case, the verification element 3 is an element that converts this phase modulation into an amplitude modulation. Is this phase modulation z. B. in the form of the letters OK, by placing the verification element 3 on top of the security element 5, as shown in FIG. 2, the hidden information “OK” 6 is visible to the eye 8.

In another embodiment, which is shown in a side view in FIG. 5, the security element 5, 205 generates a line pattern 200 in the event of light incidence outside the plane of the bill 1. The verification element 3, 203 also generates a line pattern in the event of light incidence in the same plane outside the bill 1 if verification element 3, 203 and security element 5, 205 lie on top of one another. The line patterns are set in such a way that a moire pattern results, as is known for the superimposition of actual line patterns. Information can be stored in this moiré pattern by appropriate arrangement of the holographically generated lines, so that, for. B. the font "OK" is recognizable again.

Finally, the security element 5, 105 can also generate a pattern 100 outside the plane of the bank note 1, which is made visible in the verification element 3, 103 with the aid of a lens structure 102, e.g. B. by enlargement, see Fig. 4. This requires a certain distance 7 from the lens structure of the pattern to be imaged, which is obtained according to the invention by the holographic reconstruction of the pattern 100. The lens structure 102 therefore does not have to have a certain thickness as usual in order to produce this distance from the object to be imaged. It is possible, for. B. a lenticular lens structure. A simple other embodiment comprises a security element 5, which reconstructs a holographically generated pattern on incidence of light outside the level of the bank note 1, which harbors only part of a piece of information that is not meaningful in itself. The verification element 3 comprises a comparable holographic structure which reconstructs a holographically generated pattern in the same plane outside of the bill 1, which pattern represents the remaining part of the information. If the verification element is now covered with the security element and exposed to light, both parts of the hidden information become visible and can be read out together.

For example, the partial information which is generated in a holographic way by illuminating the security element 5 can comprise parts of the letters O and K which cannot be recognized as such by themselves. The remaining remaining parts of the letters O and K are generated holographically by illuminating the verification element at the same point when the two elements come to lie on one another. In this way, the entire picture is OK.

In another embodiment of the side view of FIG. B. a security element 5, 305 in front that generates a pattern 300 holographically outside the level 9 of the bill 1, which has different polarization in different areas. During e.g. B. Most of the holographically reconstructed pattern 300 has a vertical polarization, the polarization in the region of the letters O and K is horizontally polarized. The verification element 3, 303 is a polarization filter which is polarized perpendicularly. In this way, the horizontally polarized light from the areas of the holographically generated pattern which correspond to the letters O and K cannot pass through the verification element 3, 303, so that they appear black.

The holographically generated distance 7 between the reconstructed pattern of the security element makes counterfeiting difficult. An ordinary direct one Storing the information on the banknote is easier to imitate than a hologram that has corresponding information on a staggered level. In addition, the information is such that it can only be read out with the help of the verification element. Without such a verification element, the holographically stored information is also not recognizable. An even higher level of security against counterfeiting can be achieved if the holographically generated pattern 505 is not at a constant distance 7 from the bank note 1, but instead, e.g. B. reconstructed in a wavy surface or in a stepped surface, see Figure 8 in the diagram. Again, the ripple is much smaller than shown. In such an embodiment, the verification element 3, 503 is designed such that it takes this non-constant distance into account, which can be achieved by a corresponding spatial frequency of the verification element.

The necessary hologram structures for the above statements can e.g. B. optically produced in conventional ways or computer generated. Of course, they can be provided in different places or even several times on the bill. Likewise, e.g. B. an arrangement in two opposite corners of the bill is conceivable. The security element can generate both a virtual and a real image that can be captured on a screen.

The verification element 3 is at least partially transparent. Thus, light can strike the security element through the verification element and make the holographic pattern stored therein visible behind the bill 1. Viewing this pattern through the verification element reveals the hidden information.

In addition, a security feature can also be provided on the verification element itself, e.g. B. another hologram structure that creates a different optical effect to further increase the security against forgery. Of course, the transparency of the verification element must remain sufficient so that the hidden information can still be read out. Figure 2 shows the reading process. Viewer 8 sees the folded bill 1. The verification element 3 lying on the security element 5 makes the information hidden in the pattern holographically generated by the security element 5 visible.

A machine arrangement for reading out the security system is shown schematically in FIG. 3. In a manner not shown, the bill 1 is folded mechanically, so that the verification element 3 and the security element 5 come to lie on one another. In a transport device, again not shown, the bill folded in this way is brought into the beam path of an illumination device 10 with a light direction 12. The light beam 12 passes through the verification element 3 onto the security element 5, which is not visible in FIG. 3. There, the security element 5 generates the pattern holographically outside the bill 1. The holographically generated pattern is verified by the verification element 3, which is at least partially transparent, with the aid of the camera 14, e.g. B. a CCD camera, taken in the direction 13. The verification element 3 makes the hidden information, which is visible in the holographically generated pattern, recognizable. The image thus generated with the visible hidden information is from the camera 14 z. B. fed to a computing unit 16. Here, the image can be evaluated using known image processing methods, e.g. B. a comparison with expected images to verify authenticity.

With a corresponding design of the security element 5, the light source 10 can also be arranged behind the folded bill 1.

In another embodiment of a device for reading out, not shown, the verification element is not fixed on the bill but in the machine itself and the bill 1 is moved past it with the security element 5. The security system according to the invention thus offers the advantage that the hidden information is stored in a pattern that is not in the level of the banknote or the value document 1. Instead, the pattern is generated holographically outside the value document 1. This makes counterfeiting significantly more difficult. In addition, such a holographic displacement of the pattern with the hidden information enables verification with the aid of elements which normally have to be at a certain distance from the pattern with the hidden information, e.g. B. lenticular lens structures or line grid with a tilting effect. In the invention, no increased thickness is necessary for this, since the distance is generated holographically.

Claims

Security system, especially for documents of value

1. Security system, in particular for a document of value, with a flat security element (5, 105, 205, 305, 405, 505) in a carrier plane (9) which, under the incidence of light, holographically outside the carrier plane (9) a pattern (100, 200, 300, 400, 500), in which hidden information is stored, and a flat, at least partially transparent verification element (3, 103, 203, 303, 403, 503), which, when the security element (5, 105 , 205, 305, 405, 505) makes the information stored therein readable.

2. Security system according to claim 1 with a security element comprising a first hologram carrier, which reconstructs a first pattern outside the carrier plane (9) under the light, in which the hidden information is stored as phase modulation, the verification element being designed such that it Converts phase modulation into a visible amplitude modulation.

3. Security system according to claim 2, wherein the verification element (3) comprises a second hologram carrier which reconstructs a second pattern under the light which interacts with the phase modulation which is caused under the light by the security element (5) in such a way that the phase modulation of the security element (5) is converted into a visible amplitude modulation.

4. Security system according to claim 1, wherein the security element (205) comprises a first hologram carrier, which reconstructs a strip pattern (200) in which the hidden information is stored, and the verification element (203) one, under the incidence of light outside the carrier plane (9) comprises a second hologram carrier which, when the verification element (203) comes into contact with the security element (205) at the position of the strip pattern reconstructed by the incidence of light on the security element (205), reconstructs a further strip pattern in such a way that a moiré pattern is produced which contains the hidden information shows.

5. Security system according to claim 1, wherein the security element (105) comprises a first hologram carrier, which reconstructs an incident light outside the carrier plane (9) an amplitude-modulated pattern (100) that carries the hidden information, and the verification element (103) a lens structure ( 102) which, when the security element (105) and the verification element (103) lie one on top of the other, make the hidden information visible.

6. The security system of claim 5, wherein the verification element (103) comprises a stripe lens structure (102).

7. The security system as claimed in claim 1, in which the security element (5) comprises a first hologram carrier which reconstructs an amplitude-modulated pattern outside the carrier plane (9) under the incidence of light, which carries a first part of the hidden information, and the verification element (3) comprises a second hologram carrier, which reconstructs an incident light-modulated amplitude-modulated pattern outside the carrier plane, which carries the remaining part of the hidden information, in such a way that with simultaneous light incident on both hologram carriers in superimposed state, both patterns are reconstructed and combine to form recognizable information.

8. The security system of claim 1, wherein the security element (305) comprises a first hologram carrier which reconstructs a polarization-modulated pattern (300) outside the carrier plane (9), the polarization of which is different in the area of the hidden information than in the remaining area, and that Verification element (203) comprises a polarization element.

9. The security system of claim 1, wherein the security element (405) comprises a hologram carrier, which reconstructs an incident amplitude modulated pattern (400) outside the carrier plane, which carries the hidden information, and the verification element (403) a window element provided with a raster structure The raster structure is designed in such a way that when the verification element (403) and the security element (405) come into contact with one another, depending on the viewing angle, other areas of the amplitude-modulated holographically reconstructed pattern (400) can be recognized, thus representing the hidden information.

10. Security system according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the security element (505) is constructed such that the holographically reconstructed pattern (500) with the hidden information is not reconstructed in one plane.

11. Security system according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the distance (7) of the incident light due to the security element (5, 105, 205, 305, 405, 505) of the reconstructed pattern from the carrier plane (9) is in the range of a few 100 μm, preferably 100 to 300 μm.

12. Security system according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the verification element (3, 103, 203, 303, 403, 503) and the security element (5, 105, 205, 305, 405, 505) in such a way on or in an object (1), in particular a document of value, is applied or introduced so that it can be brought into flat contact by folding the object (1).

13. Security system according to one of claims 1 to 12, in which the security element (5, 105, 205, 305, 405, 505) is designed such that the pattern reconstructed by the incidence of light is virtual.

14. Security system according to one of claims 1 to 12, in which the security element (5, 105, 205, 305, 405, 505) is designed such that the pattern reconstructed by the incidence of light is real.

15. Security element for use in a security system according to one of claims 1 to 14 with a holographic support element, which holographically reconstructs a pattern (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) with hidden information outside the support plane (9) under the incidence of light ,

16. Verification element for use in a security system according to one of claims 1 to 14 for visualization of the hidden information by a security element (5, 105, 205, 305, 405, 505) according to claim 15 under the incidence of light in a plane outside the carrier plane ( 9) the security element is reconstructed.

17. Verification element according to claim 16, wherein the verification element (3, 103, 203, 403, 503) is equipped with an additional security feature.

18. Value document with a security element according to claim 15.

19. document of value with a verification element according to one of claims 16 or 17.

20. Value document with a security system according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the security element (5, 105, 205, 305, 405, 505) and the verification element (3, 103, 203, 303, 403, 503) by folding the value document (1) can be brought into extensive contact.

21. A document of value according to claim 20, wherein the verification element (3, 103, 203, 303, 403) carries additional information.

22. A method for reading out the information which is hidden in the pattern reconstructed under the incidence of light on a security element according to claim 15, in which a verification element according to one of claims 16 or 17 is made to coincide with the security element.

23. The method according to claim 22, in which the security element and the verification element are applied to or into an object (1), in which the object is folded, in order to bring the verification element and the security element into register.

24. Device for reading out the information which is hidden in the pattern reconstructed under the incidence of light on a security element according to claim 15

a device which coincides the security element according to claim 15 with a verification element according to one of claims 16 or 17, a lighting device which is directed towards the security element (5) which is covered by the verification element, and

a reading device for recording and evaluating the light, which comes from the lighting device and is changed by the security element (5) and the verification element (3).